The Political and Religious Contribution of Presbyterianism in and around Manchester to the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660

This clerical infrastructure sustained political coherence across successive regime changes, enabling opposition to survive repression under the Rump Parliament, adapt under the Protectorate, and be reactivated when political circumstances shifted.</p><p dir="ltr">The thesis examines Sir George Booth’s rebellion of August 1659 as the moment at which this regional political culture was mobilised in practice. Booth acted as the agent through whom clerical fears and gentry dissatisfaction with military-backed government were translated into coordinated political action.

Although the rising was defeated militarily, it exposed the fragility of the Rump–army partnership, legitimised calls for constitutional reform, and contributed to the free-parliament movement of early 1660. In doing so, it formed part of the pressures that shaped General Monck’s change of course.</p><p dir="ltr">By foregrounding Manchester Presbyterianism, this study reframes interpretations of the late Interregnum, demonstrating that provincial religious institutions were not peripheral but integral to the destabilisation of military government and the political transformations that made the Restoration possible.</p>